Called to Adventure
Jesus called people to follow him. That must have been exciting to go with him and hear his teaching, to see the miracles, and to be a part of feeding five thousand. Their hearts must have pounded in their chest when they met the risen Jesus. The Day of Pentecost must have seemed awesome for the former fishermen and tax collector. Adventure, excitement.
But in following him there was another element added to their life. That was the element of danger. From the time Jesus began his public ministry there was opposition. When he spoke in his hometown synagogue, they tried to throw him off a cliff.
From that point forward Jesus was constantly under scrutiny and attack.
When the soldiers came for Jesus, all the disciples were in danger. After Jesus’ crucifixion, they were afraid they would be next, so they all went and hid.
Throughout the apostle’s ministry they were attacked, beaten and killed. Other Followers were persecuted in many ways including death.
Their lives were a mix of excitement at experiencing what God was doing in their lives and through them in the world and the danger from the opposition trying to stop God’s activity.
Somewhere I saw that the definition of adventure required excitement and danger.
What does that have to say about bland Christianity?